Paris/New York, March 17 (SANA) The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) issued an urgent warning on Tuesday, stating that tens of millions of children in the Middle East are facing severe educational disruption due to the ongoing US-Israeli-Iranian war. The organization noted that schools across the region are increasingly being threatened, closed, or repurposed as emergency shelters for displaced families.
According to the UN News Center, UNESCO confirmed that 65 schools in the region have been damaged so far. The statement emphasized that attacks on educational facilities and universities have resulted in numerous casualties among both students and teachers, undermining the fundamental right to safe learning.
In response to the crisis, UNESCO is providing emergency assistance to establish temporary learning spaces, enhance online education capabilities, and distribute essential learning materials. The organization is also prioritizing mental health support, offering resources to bolster the resilience of students, educators, and parents. “Psychological safety is a prerequisite for learning,” UNESCO stated, noting that the trauma of war severely impairs memory, attention, and motivation.
Beyond education, UNESCO has activated an emergency program to support cultural workers and protect heritage sites in conflict-affected countries. The organization reminded all warring parties of their legal obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 2601 (2021), which mandates the protection of schools and educational personnel during armed conflicts.
As the exchange of strikes between the US-Israeli axis and Iran continues since February 28, international calls for de-escalation are mounting. Experts warn that unless civilian infrastructure is protected, an entire generation’s right to a secure education remains at grave risk.
H.H
